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$page->title = 'Be on Mission This Halloween';
$page->date = '2013-10-31';
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<p>Tomorrow night is one of the greatest opportunities of the year to connect
with our neighbors. Halloween gives us a chance to begin new relationships with
those living around us and re-kindle some old relationships with new
intentionality. Regardless of what you think about Halloween, it is a wide open
door for connecting with our neighbors. I mean, when else will your entire
neighborhood come to your front door in one night? :-)</p>

<p>I want to encourage you not to miss the opportunity Halloween will afford you
to be on mission with Jesus in your neighborhood. Here are some tips to help you
maximize this opportunity:</p>

<ol>

<li><strong>Be present.</strong> Turn your porch light on and get ready for the masses to come.
In fact, hang out on the porch and look for opportunities to engage beyond just
handing out candy.</li>

<li><strong>Give out the best candy.</strong> When I was a kid, everyone talked about the house
with the best candy. Don't give out toothbrushes… give out some great candy!</li>

<li><strong>Have something for parents.</strong> Have some hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee, etc.
available for parents. Offering something like this may give more opportunity to
connect with parents, and it will definitely be well received.</li>

<li><strong>Get to know the people who stop.</strong> If you have some parents take you up on the
cider, etc., engage them in conversation. Get their names, where they live in
the neighborhood, job, etc. Be natural and engaging.</li>

<li><strong>Be encouraging.</strong> Every kid loves to hear a positive word of
encouragement.</li>

<li><strong>Go to their turf.</strong> If your neighborhood or one of your neighbors has a
gathering, go check it out. Our neighborhood is having a party, and we are
planning to go. What a great chance to meet a bunch of neighbors all at
once.</li>

<li><strong>Pray, pray, pray.</strong> Ask God to give you eyes and ears to see and hear the
needs of people you meet. Ask God to give you some relationships to continue
building. Begin praying regularly for the people you meet.</li>

</ol>

<p>I hope you have a great time with family and friends and most importantly, I
pray that God will use you to <strong>SHARE</strong> His love and grace with others in your
neighborhood.</p>

<p>Until All Hear,<br> Jay</p>

<p>By the way, we are hosting the Northwestern Trojan Football Team at the
11:00am service Sunday. I can’t wait; it's going to be a great day!</p>
